Past Forums

2015: Women and Markets

Power Shift 2015 presented new and sometimes provocative ways of thinking about women and markets and the ways that gender figures into our systems of exchange. The conference was opened with a stirring speech by Arancha González, Executive Director of the International Trade Center, who made a compelling case for the social injustice and deep economic illogic of excluding half the human species from global trade. The “rapid fire” sessions were followed by intense practical engagements, in which the participants learned and problem-solved their way through a range of issues, including the benefits of supplier diversity, avoiding rights violations in global supply chains, and the promise of purpose-built consumer goods for poor women.

2014: Women in Finance

The Power Shift Forum in 2014 looked at conditions for women-owned businesses who seek capital, whether debt or equity, this included other points of contact between women and the money system: consumer credit, savings accounts, inheritance law, philanthropy, careers in finance, even pyramid schemes. Scholars from many disciplines provided insights into the deep roots of present circumstances and contemporary leaders highlighted paths to the future.

One tangible outcome was the signing of the Power Shift Call to Action, which was handed to the UN in March 2015. The Call to Action called for financial inclusion for women to be included in the post-2015 sustainable development goals.

Reflections on the 2014 event by Linda Scott and the importance of the financial inclusion of women.

2013: Women as Entrepreneurs

The strategy for Power Shift 2013 was to foster an informed conversation among a group of people who, in one way or another, can affect the growing global action plan for how women can be supported in building businesses. We identified speakers who inspire, as well as those who critique; panelists with strong opinions, as well as some with strong data. We assembled a group of participants who are experienced in doing the training, financing, analyzing, investing, and organizing around women’s entrepreneurship